David Clive was born the son of a successful character actor, E.E. Clive. He grew up in Hollywood during the early golden age of movies in the 1930's, where his father pursued a successful movie career acting in over fifty movies during that time. When David's father died unexpectedly in 1940, the family fortunes changed and David somehow survived WWII first as an RAF pilot, then in the US Army Air Force. He started his career in the theatre beginning in 1946, (trading on his father's connections). Since this produced limited success as an actor, David quickly moved into the roles of Stage Manager, Director, and Producer over his 40 year career. His greatest successes were as a Stage Manager for a number of highly successful Broadway shows. One of the most memorable was the one man show with Vincent Price called "Diversions and Delights" about Oscar Wilde. David retired from the theatre in the 1980's and began sailing and living on his self-built 46 foot trimaran for a number of years. David passed away in 2001.